Secure Arizona's Future

Appleton Ranch

Before developing the Superior mine, Resolution Copper Mining must complete extensive studies to determine the specification and location of critical infrastructure. These activities will require an investment of over $750 million in additional exploration and in excess of $3.5 billion before production can commence. To justify an investment of this magnitude, RCM needs to facilitate industrial development of the surface lands in and around the Oak Flat area on national forest land that is currently excluded from mining by federal law. This is necessary to complete our feasibility study and to make a final decision regarding how to develop the mine. Passage of the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act will accomplish this goal. Here are five things you should know about this act:

1. It exchanges over 5,500 acres of private, high-priority conservation lands for roughly 2,400 acres of national forest property. All of the lands were selected in consultation with the United States Forest Service, BLM and leading conservation groups, including the Trust for Public Land, Nature Conservancy, Sonoran Institute, and Audubon Arizona.
2. It provides over 250 acres of land for economic development in the Town of Superior. Less than five square miles in area, Superior is land locked and needs additional lands for economic development.
3. It requires conservation and protection of scenic and historic Apache Leap located above Superior.
4. It makes a $1 million financial commitment to support development of one or more replacement campgrounds in close proximity to the Oak Flat campground.
5. It agrees to provide a full plan of operations, including location of infrastructure and impacts to the area, as well as data on cultural and ecological attributes for full public comment and review. RCM will submit to a full, comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act prior to opening the mine.